Alabama

Alabama men's basketball coach Avery Johnson (center) has his picture taken with a supporter before the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile's annual gala at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala., on Tuesday, June 7, 2016.
(Mark Inabinett/minabinett@al.com)

Avery Johnson doesn't have any delusions about turning football-crazed Alabama into a basketball state. But the Alabama men's basketball coach does hope to raise hoops to partnership status.

"What we're trying to become is a great partner with football," Johnson said on Tuesday night, "so instead of being in football's shadow, hopefully, we can walk side by side. That's why (Alabama football) coach (Nick) Saban and I meet all the time. He helps me tremendously with recruiting. I help him - not that they need it. But we're great partners, and that's what we're hoping - we can one day walk alongside of Alabama football."

Johnson visited Mobile on Tuesday night to serve as the keynote speaker for the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile's annual gala at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.

A former NBA player and coach, Johnson completed his first season as Alabama's men's basketball coach with an 18-15 record in the 2015-16 season.

Three former Alabama players were active in the NBA during the 2015-16 season - New Orleans Pelicans forward Alonzo Gee, Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams. Williams is the only one of the three who was drafted, going in the second round in 2003.

Alabama has not sent a player into the NBA via the draft since Jermareo Davidson was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the second round in 2007. Richard Hendrix, also a second-round pick by the Warriors, was the most recent NBA Draft choice from Alabama in 2008. He never played in the NBA.

Johnson said filling that draft void would help in elevating basketball's profile in Alabama.

"Here's the deal: It's not just important to get a guy in the draft this year," Johnson said. "What's important is to get a guy in the draft and him have some stability in the NBA. So we can get a kid that's in the draft, and he spends one year in the NBA, it doesn't matter. We want him to have some stability.

"And also look at what happened with Retin Obasohan, a kid that came out of nowhere. Averaged four points a game. Now he's up there, he's going to work out for 11 or 12 NBA teams. That was unheard of coming into the season with all of his predraft workouts, and he's doing an excellent job."

After almost tripling his scoring average from his junior to his senior season, Obasohan is considered a possibility to be picked in the NBA Draft on June 23.

Another guard who could help raise the profile of Alabama basketball is Dazon Ingram. The Theodore prep star played only seven games in his freshman season for the Crimson Tide because of a fractured foot.

"If Dazon stays healthy - we have our fingers crossed - and we're praying that he will, he's an outstanding talent -- 6-6, 210 pounds, point guard, can just see the floor," Johnson said. "You can see what's happening in the NBA Finals: Being able to pass the basketball is not an overrated asset. He can pass it, defend and we sure are glad to have him back in the lineup this year."

Johnson said Alabama was close to releasing its non-conference schedule for the 2016-17 season.

"Hopefully, in a week or two, we'll have it released," Johnson said. "We're excited about it. It's not going to easy, just like our non-conference schedule wasn't easy last year. We've got to be competitive. We've got to play as many teams as we can that have good RPIs, but not overload our schedule. So, hopefully, it will be a balanced one."